1:55pm: Heyman tweets that the MLBPA executive subcommittee “appears” to be voting against the proposal, though it’s not clear whether that’s a unanimous decision or whether there’s a split camp among the eight players on that committee. That’s an important distinction, as the MLBPA needs a simple majority among the 30 team union reps and the eight members of the subcommittee — a total of 20 yes votes. In other words, it’s still possible for the union to approve the deal even if the executive subcommittee is against it.
1:45pm: Heyman tweets that MLB’s proposal also requests that the MLBPA drop the $500MM grievance it filed against MLB, wherein the players posited that MLB did not negotiate in good faith during return-to-play talks in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
1:14pm: Heyman tweets that MLB’s proposal calls for spring games to begin around March 17 and for Opening Day to fall on April 5. That would require backtracking on several of the games previously announced to be canceled or “removed from the schedule,” and ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds that the remaining games would be made up through a series of doubleheaders that, notably, would be nine innings in length.
As notably, Rogers tweets that free agency could reopen as soon as tonight if the two sides reach an agreement and ratify the new CBA today. Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci suggested the same earlier today in an appearance on MLB Network.
1:09pm: The MLB Players Association has received the league’s latest counterproposal, as first reported by ESPN’s Marly Rivera, and is now in the process of reviewing the latest changes proposed by ownership. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that the newest proposal saw the league up its proposed pre-arbitration bonus pool from $40MM to $50MM. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, meanwhile, tweets that there have been a few more modest concessions made in terms of the competitive balance (luxury) tax threshold and the minimum salary. MLB increased its proposed luxury threshold in 2026 (the final year of the proposed CBA) — slightly closing what had been an $8MM gap. The league held firm on its proposed $700K minimum salary for the upcoming season but offered a $10K increase over the $770K it had proposed in 2026 — up to $780K.
The movement on the pre-arbitration pool is the most notable jump made. The two parties had been facing a gap of $25MM, with the players coming in at a $65MM pool in 2022. However, the larger issue is surely whether that pool will grow at all over the life of the agreement. MLB has been steadfast in its push to keep the newly created bonus pool static, whereas the players have sought a $5MM annual increase to the size of the pool.
On the CBT front, the two parties had previously faced annual gaps of $2MM, $3MM, $4MM, $5MM and $8MM over the life of the potential agreement. MLB has held firm on its $230MM, $232MM, $236MM and $240MM threshold proposals from 2022-25, but they’re now proposing a $244MM threshold in 2026.
Notably, Heyman adds that the league’s proposal requests that the MLBPA drop previously filed grievances against the Rays, A’s, Pirates and Marlins — suits that allege that those four organizations had not sufficiently reallocated their revenue-sharing funds toward improving the on-field product. That’s not a new request, MLBTR has learned, but it’s also not one to which the union has previously agreed. That will be among the many topics considered when the union takes its vote — which ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel suggests could be taking place right now.
Confoundingly, Rosenthal indicates that MLB has yet again attempted to set another “deadline” for players, this one at 3:00pm ET today — a bit under an hour from now. MLB’s repeated attempts to set a deadline have not resulted in a deal yet and have generally served to stall negotiations rather than encourage them. The union hasn’t felt compelled to stick to those league-implemented deadlines, but the fact that they union appears to be in the process of voting right now, rather than outright refusing the proposal, at least offers a notable departure from some of the previous and more contentious back-and-forths that have taken place. Also of note, Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extra Base tweets that if a deal is reached before that 3pm “deadline,” players will be allowed to begin reporting voluntarily to their Spring Training facilities as soon as tomorrow.
All of this movement comes after a morning agreement in which the two parties reached a provisional agreement regarding a July deadline to negotiate an international draft that would begin in 2024. If a deal is reached by July 25, the qualifying offer system (and the draft-pick compensation associated with it) will be eliminated. If no deal on the international draft is reached, the qualifying offer system and draft-pick compensation will remain in place, and the current international amateur free agency structure will remain in place.
If they don’t accept this one, we riot
Not sure I care enough any more to riot.
Could be wrong but I feel like the owners made real concessions. This is on the players now. And I bet Tony Clark will find a way to screw it up
MLB has rejected various proposals. You weren’t ready to riot then?
I revolted because the players said over and over and over again, they wanted teams to be more competitive and it was a bald face lie.
To no have a season because of a QO wasn’t removed is beyond absurd.
Both sides are so full of it. I lost a lot of respect for the players. I can’t say I lost respect for the owners because I didn’t have a lot of respect for them to begin with,
In fairness, they’ve at least now agreed to table the QO / int’l draft discussion and not let it delay an agreement.
Lol they’re going to vote against it. I hope they don’t play all season and don’t make a dime. Hope they kill their own sport, they deserve it
Honestly if this doesn’t get accepted because the players demand to be paid for games they didn’t play during the Covid lockout they are incinerating any perception they are the ‘good guys’ here. I don’t like that MLB appears to have added this at the last minute, but it shouldn’t be a blocker. There were no games, you did not do what you are paid to do, why is this an issue.
To play devil’s advocate…because they’re not paid per game played. Injured players still collect their full salary. It’s not their fault a pandemic stopped their industry from running effectively. Their contact states they get paid $X per year.
Take the damn deal Boras
He has no say in the matter
Technically true, but it’s naive to think he hasn’t been consulted by numerous players on this and giving his unasked-for advice to others.
Not officially.
Sign it then go nuts in FA!!!!!
So baseball going to start back up ?
hopefully yes, if the PA can realize that they’ve won on a lot of major points.
ACCEPT IT
I still firmly believe the players are the problem, not the owners. These players would do exactly the same if they were owners. They don’t care about the sport or the fans. They care about the money just like the owners
So then they are the same. They both want the best deal they can get.
Let’s not get it twisted… neither side gives one valid crap about the fans. In fairness, baseball owners never cared but at least they were consistent in that. The players’ and their “stick with us, fans” rhetoric is growing more tiresome by the day.
Such an ignorant statement.
The thing about it is…the more money that the players want is only going to come down on the fans, not the owners
If the owners could get away with charging fans and pocketing the money, you don’t think they would do that?
Every nutjob supporting the owners here though the players were being greedy not accepting the first or second proposal and claiming how the owners had all this leverage, but look at them folding like a cheap tent and making large moves in the players’ directions.
Seriously, anyone supporting the owners thru this needs to get a clue! Or they’re undoubtedly related to ownership or team management.
I look forward to reading another 12 posts from FFS all saying the same thing.
He seems to think we care that he thinks
Not everyone has the same opinion, FSF. The sooner you get that through your thick skull the better. In the meantime, kindly stfu.
It sure seems weird that the league is constantly asking the MLBPA to withdraw grievances.
That’s not a new request, MLBTR has learned, but it’s also not one to which the union has previously agreed. That will be among the many topics considered when the union takes its vote — which ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel suggests could be taking place right now.
This part gets me:
“MLBPA drop previously filed grievances against the Rays, A’s, Pirates and Marlins — suits that allege that those four organizations had not sufficiently reallocated their revenue-sharing funds toward improving the on-field product.
The rays are constantly putting a winning team on the field and are getting sued for it…
These players are fools and their lawyers are getting rich of them for nothing.
That the Rays run their organization well enough to compete without spending is an entirely different issue than them taking money from other teams (that could be going to players) and pocketing it for personal spend. Don’t confuse the two separate matters.
The grievance was filed in 2018. And Rays were in the midst of 4 straight losing seasons from 2014 -18 at that point, since we’re discussing constant winning.
This is about process. not results. It was an attempt to get MLB to enforce the CBA policy that revenue sharing funds be spent “in an effort to improve its performance on the field” How long must it take for such grievances to be heard – supposedly it was conditional on a settlement being reached?
Have to wonder if the more significant grievance (in terms of $ anyway) about shortening the 2020 season is part of this deal as well. One more hurdle – hoping it doesn’t get in the way again.
@gwell You don’t seem to understand the problem. Not spending revenue sharing money isn’t absolved by winning.
And the timing of it. There’s always a nasty surprise/demand with MLB.
Let’s goooo!!! Please!!! Spring training starts tomorrow if accepted !!!!
Finally
Just play the game.
To paraphrase a somewhat famous entertainer: “Git-R-Dun!”
you should put a ‘somewhat’ in front of ‘entertainer’ as well
That’s why I didn’t quote 😉
Bring on spring training! Let this crazy a$$ free agent frenzy begin!!!
There’s no question now that this is the owner’s best and final proposal. If players vote to reject this, it could be the final dagger on the entire season. The players have clearly won these negotiations and I’m surprised the owners went as far as they have in order to get a deal done. Neither side was going to get everything they asked for. The owners have swallowed their pride and agreed to pay a lot more to the players. It’s time for the players to swallow their pride and get this deal done. No more nitpicking and no more Boras interference!
The owners “went as far as they have” because there was plenty of room still left. MLB if very profitable for the owners. They just don’t want to give the players’ their fair share.
Making millions of dollars a year is not a fair share? how about they lower the price of tickets and concessions instead of forking out 300 million on one player…the league minimum the players are making more than most doctors and definitely nurses…cry me a river
That’s a very superficial way of analyzing the situation. Making millions doesn’t mean you’re getting a fair share by default.
you’re right…the point was that instead of wanting more money from the owners they should all agree to give money back to the fans…sorry for the confusion but that was the point
I’ve been negative the whole time, but I feel positive that this is it!!!!
Here’s my proposal…Manfred and Clark in Thunderdome.
2 MEN ENTER, ONE MAN LEAVES.
Rob would go Beast Mode and rip him or anyone else to shreds.
He would go into a Wolverine like BERSERKER RAGE.
The owners snuck something in there. Fortunately, Ross Stripling will find it and stop the shenanigans.
i’d buy that for a a dollar
If Manfred vs Clark in the Thunder Dome was a Pay Per View event, I’d pay at least $20. I’d also buy a Tony Clark jersey.
Since the 2022 draft is July 17, safe to assume there will be no draft pick compensation for this offseason?
The International Draft will be a separate process, won’t it?
My assumption is any change would start for next offseason. So guys offered a QO after last season would still garner their teams a QO pick and cause the signing team to lose a QO pick.
As for the Int’l Draft, yes that would be a separate process, but since the owners are offering the end of the QO system in exchange for the int’l draft, the two topics are entwined. Personally, I’d rather they combine the int’l and domestic drafts so teams like the Pirates don’t get a double-bonus for sucking. Add the money proposed for the international draft and the rounds to the domestic. If a team wants to go for all Cuba/DR 16-year olds, let them. If they want to go all college grads, let them. And I haven’t heard it talked about much, but can we all agree that draft picks should be tradeable?
Of course the owners have to throw a wrench into it at the last minute again.
Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Union expected to vote soon on MLB offer. Initial read: “Very promising except they want (2018) lawsuit dropped.” (MLB apparently included request for union to drop its lawsuit vs Marlins, Rays, A’s, Pirates)
Tell them that the grievance will be dropped if all revenue sharing money has to be spent on player salaries above the minimum
Both sides are the problem
I think the owners want to skip April.
Its on the players, genius.
The owners would love to skip April, but they’d still have to pay players for April.
You think it’s negotiations are tough now, try telling the players you are going to lock them out and not pay them for missed games.
Wish they would roll back the rules to 1903.
Overheard conversation today:
MLBPA negotiator: OK, Stud, we could have a deal with the Greedy Owners, want to hear the details?
Player: Naw, just how much more money will I get?
Clark, Scherzer and Boros need to just step aside and let the players vote it up or down.
Uggh. MLB once again adds in a new item at the last moment, this time dropping the lawsuit against the four teams. This is hopefully rejected. The information learned alone would be invaluable, and there’s a decent chance the MLBPA will win. Seems MLB has that concern.
Players should also hold firm on getting some yearly increases in the prearb pool.
The people involved new this a month ago but didn’t report the article talks about.
Or it casts a dark cloud over those teams and is bad PR for their respective fans. I personally don’t think the grievance will amount to anything and is MLB protecting its brand.
Stop blaming the players. The owners are 100% at fault.
What’s stopping the players from playing a game right now? Why do they need to have the owners? Go start a league of their own and grow it from the ground up.
Antitrust exemption.
Even if they did do this the amount of money wouldn’t be minimum wage! And their contract they do have would be voided… Do it Scherzer Do it!!!
100%? Nope, not even close. I’d say it’s somewhere between 55-60% owners, with the rest on the players. It’s really only the last couple of weeks that either side started negotiating in earnest.
Wrong, genius
Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
·
6m
As I just reported on @MLBNetwork
, should the CBA be agreed upon and ratified today, Opening Day would likely be April 7. Spring Training games would begin March 17 or 18, and free agency and the business of baseball would be open TONIGHT.
Owners trying to create momentum pressure by releasing info through their TV network. I’m concerned about the request to drop the lawsuits as well as no increase in the player pre-arb pool. And, oh yeah, another “deadline.” Please review and approve our proposal in the next 45 minutes.
So this could go down in the history books as a one week delay.
After all the grimacing and grinding and social media hyperventilating.
One week.
just play ball!
We agree again Patrick. This will soon be forgotten… THANK GOD!!!
Owners: Please just cancel the season. Thanks.
You do realize that if you’re this ticked off, you can just go away for a year, right? If this is what the voice of reason sounds like, I’d rather be crazy. It at least feels more sane.
Wow, I am very surprised. I expected them to miss a couple months of the season, or more, based on how negative things sounded just a couple weeks ago. I’ll believe they get a deal done when it is signed and sealed though. But since they are talking about spring training starting in a week, that has to mean they are actually somewhat close, for real.
Obviously, a deal can happen quickly when a completely unreasonable and greedy side starts to finally come to its senses and make some steps toward doing the right thing in paying the people who actually constitute the game of baseball.
I won’t even go into all of the amateur hour juvenile negotiating tactics that the owners employed and looked stupid and foolish doing so.
Free agency tonight !!!!
Heyman now says MLB wants the $500 million grievance from 2020 be dropped.
ABSOLUTELY NO FAKKKKING WAY
These arse holes are just heaping junk on with a brand new deadline.
No way
Drop it. Enough nonsense and move on. Life isn’t always fair and time to move on.
There are no black & white rules on how teams need to spend their revenue share money so this grievance is a reach by the union. They need to drop this grievance and play ball, as there is no chance they would win the case.
If usage of revenue sharing dollars is so important to the union, why isn’t in their CBA list of demands?
A major negotiating failure by the Union, I’ve said all along. They talk about wanting smaller market teams to spend, but put nothing in their proposals to require or even incentivize it.
Still a complete BS tactic by MLB to throw it in as another last minute demand under yet another deadline.
DM,
It seems ridiculous. MLB must be nervous about the grievance outcome to do this.
There is a clause in past CBAs governing this. The current CBA requires teams to spend revenue sharing dollars to “improve performance on the field”
Everyone says that is vague, and to an extent it is, but a grievance hearing would allow for an evidentiary presentation that could flesh out the details of what actually qualifies here, and MLB surely wants to avoid that and rely on vagueness as a defense in the public’s mind.
But may as well wait for the results of the latest deadline.
Please sweet baby Jesus
Jesus don’t care about baseball. I appreciate the sentiment but pray that World War III doesn’t happen or that COVID doesn’t flare up again.
If I were the union, I would drop the lawsuit for now. But if evidence continues to show that the teams named are continuing to not invest in the on field product, they should have the right to revisit it.
Well that said maybe the owners should sue the players for terrible play… what goes around comes around!
Then we can all wait for ever to watch a decent game..
Players will reject per norm.
This is just more last minute BS from the owners. Pushing ‘bad faith’ to a whole new level.
The players should counter offer without settling the grievances. Put it back in the owners’ lap.
If this caught the players off guard, the are an incompetent group.
If you were shill for the owners, you’d be crying that the QO was brought up late.
The fact is, neither of these caught either side by surprise.
The point might be the timing of insertion (self-censored comment not entered here), not whether it’s an issue or not
The addition of MLB’s request to drop not one but both lawsuits should be a dealbreaker.
The lawsuits were just filed for leverage in the first place.
If you are going to have a new CBA its pretty standard to resolve old grievances and litigation for a fresh start.
In one way, these guys deserve respect:
Instead of spending money buying the exposure, the two sides essentially managed to steal off-season headlines and did it in such a way that many fans will be “relieved” to be able to spend money on games again. Now we’ll get the Free Agent signings bump for a number of teams …and Spring Training Optimism!
And all it cost is some shuffling of early-season/pre-season activities
Players expected to decline it
Even if they don’t come to agreement, baseball would be wise to end the lockout, continue negotiating and then lockout when games begin.
They are close enough. Delay losing games as long as possible.
Then you give players the leverage to go on strike and then we actually do lose more games.
they could agree to not strike
Considering what has occurred, do you think they’ll just agree to that?
Sure, and Putin could agree to pull out of Ukraine.
MLBPA executive board0 8 members apparently voting against the proposal
Full 30 member panel still gets to vote
I’d vote against it with the last minute BS demands on grievances. Same old crap from owners.
Read the article; they’re not last minute. They were in previous proposals, and were rejected then.
Well, when they do get this completed, we can finally get started on the Mets dynasty. I look forward to 7 championships in 10 years and reaching the world series all 10 of those years.
MetsFan22, is that you?
Yes. And a Statue of Lindor will be built outside the stadium flipping off all the fans who walk in.
Let’s go already.
This version of the deal is already dead if the executive board is indeed voting against it. The other players on the full board will follow.
Once again, Manfred adding these significant bombs in at the last moment is preventing progress. The real question is what guidance the players give when and if they reject it. Dropping the lawsuits is a huge ask from the owners while giving nothing with it.
That grievance has at least a chance of success. Owners seem to going down a laundry list of wants…they take out one, slide in another.
I’m surprised that the players committee would have any say in the lawsuit, but obviously they do if they vote for this CBT as reported. Granted, there is lot we still don’t know.
I am fascinated by the reports the full committee is going may vote in favor while the executive committee is voting against. I am watching MLBN, and that is the owners’ channel, so I’m always suspect of info coming from them.
If the players reject this it’s pretty clear they don’t actually want to play like they keep claiming. I will be done supporting the players if they reject this.
Players will be against it 625 to 575 because there’s no $10MM minimum for FA’s
Dude ahahahaha what the hell!!!! Nothing is going to be perfect !!! Get the best offer you can and take it !!!
What are the chances that somewhere buried in an “annex” or a footnote that a material change in the “public” offer is qualified away? That, and the minor matter of the $500M grievance?
Tony Clark loves the spot light. As soon as this is over, he goes back to being a nobody.
He wants this to drag on.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Anything Heyman reports is pure bulls&&t. This guy is a hack and is only interested in getting credit for breaking stories as in “First reported by John Heyman”
We have a deal.
If so, Manfred should get a huge raise. He limited any significant damage, and likely will have an international draft. The owners will make even more money in the coming years. That’s his job. He did it.
PLAY BALL!
PLAYERS VOTED FOR IT! JUST NEEDS TO BE RATIFIED BUT THIS CRAP IS DONE WITH! WOOHOO
Players vote is 26-12 in favor. Baseball will be back!
Scherzer was one of the “no’s” — his comment was “There’s nothing in there for me!
That’s it. I’m done with baseball.
Ha! The Unmasked Voice of Reason.
THIS!
Jeff Passan
@JeffPassan
·
3m
The breakdown of the votes makes it clear: The players wanted to play. Player reps, who represent the rank-and-file, voted 26-4 in favor of the agreement. The executive subcommittee, made of elected leaders, voted 8-0 against it. In the end, all of the players’ voices were heard.